3. The last sheaf of corn in the harvest field (see quots.). Known to Abd.22 1938. Also attrib. Hence, “the feast of harvest home” (ne.Ant. 1930 (per Uls.3)).
Sc. 1922 J. G. FrazerGolden Bough xlv. 403: In Scotland, when the last corn was cut after Hallowmas, the female figure made out of it was sometimes called the Carlin or Carline, that is, the Old Woman.Abd. 1900 J. Spence in Trans. Bch. Field Club V. 217: The Clyack was either known as the Maiden or the Carlin Clyack, the former when the harvest was early, leaving a long go o' hairst, and the latter when the harvest was late.